The UK regulator of dental practice, the General Dental Council (GDC), has secured its first prosecution of an illegal tooth whitening training provider.

On 26 January 2015, Martyn Collier, sole director of 'Smile Like the Stars Training Limited', was found guilty of two offences of unlawfully practising dentistry, namely tooth whitening, contrary to Section 38 (1) and (2) of the Dentists Act 1984. Mr Collier was found guilty in his absence at Cwmbran Magistrates' Court.

Both offences took place on 3 March 2014 at Cwrt Bleddyn Hotel and Spa, Llangybi, Usk, Monmouthshire, NP15 1PG. Mr Collier, who has never been registered with the GDC, was found guilty of unlawfully practising dentistry in relation to tooth whitening he performed on two individuals whilst he purported to train them as tooth whiteners. The training that Mr Collier purported to provide would not legally enable his trainees to practise tooth whitening.

The complainants booked the training at a cost of £1595 with 'Smile Like the Stars Training Limited' through Mr Collier's website, 'The Teeth Whitening Training School'. The complainants were falsely told that the training would result in a qualification that would legally allow them to provide tooth whitening treatments. This was incorrect as the complainants were not registered dental professionals. Mr Collier provided the complainants with false and misleading documents about the legality of tooth whitening and methods to avoid prosecution.

Mr Collier was fined £4000 for each of the two offences, ordered to pay a £120 victim surcharge and £1595 in compensation. He was also ordered to pay full costs to the GDC of £1776.88. In total, Mr Collier was ordered to pay £11,491.88.

John StanfieldWebmasterTo be a professional you must believe you are a professional and take responsibility for it.